Travel information: Carnival in Salvador da Bahia, the largest festival on the streets of Brazil.
- Hotel Pousada Rancho Fundo
- Feb 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 1
Carnival Salvador da Bahia, a local super event that is alien to us.......
Everything you need to know about Carnival in Salvador – your journey to the biggest festival in the world
Carnival in Salvador da Bahia is one of the largest and most exuberant street parties on the planet. While Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is known for its world-famous samba schools and the glittering competition at the Sambódromo, Salvador celebrates a completely different but no less impressive type of carnival - the largest festival in the world, as it is also listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
Carnival in Salvador – An endless dance through the city
In Salvador there are no permanent stands, but a gigantic spectacle on the streets. The carnival here is a mixture of street parade, love parade and Brazilian joie de vivre. Trio Elétricos – huge articulated trucks converted into moving stages – make their way simultaneously through three city streets several kilometers long. These trucks are equipped with extremely powerful sound systems and carry some of Brazil's biggest music stars. But unlike in Rio, these artists are primarily national superstars - celebrated throughout Brazil, but often little known internationally.
If you want to join in the celebration, you have three options:
1. The Blocos – Dance through the city with the stars
Blocos are organized groups that run behind a specific trio elétrico. To be there, you have to buy a so-called Abadá – a colorfully printed T-shirt that serves as an entry ticket. But be careful: you don't just dance at a Bloco, you dance with him - and that means moving through the streets for two to four kilometers while the Trio Elétrico slowly rolls through the crowds. It's an energetic, euphoric experience, but also exhausting because you dance the entire way. A bit of fitness and a lot of enthusiasm are required here!
2. Camarotes – The luxurious view of the spectacle
If you like something more exclusive, you can secure a ticket for a Camarote. These VIP stands offer a protected view of the hustle and bustle, plus unlimited drinks, food, and often even their own DJs and shows. Many Camarotes are now small festival worlds in their own right – with their own atmosphere and attractions. The catch: Admission is not cheap. You can easily spend 500 to 600 euros for one night, depending on the location and features of the Camarote. For many Brazilians, this remains a luxury that they only treat themselves to once in their life.
3. Pipoca – Right in the middle of the celebrating crowd
The cheapest – but also wildest – way to experience Carnival in Salvador is as a pipoca. In German it means “popcorn” because the people in the crowd jump and dance like popped corn. If you don't have a Bloco ticket or Camarote access, you can simply jump into the hustle and bustle on the street and dance along between the trucks and Blocos. This is pure carnival energy, but not without risk.
Things are often very chaotic in the Pipoca zone. The rhythm, the heat and, above all, the ice-cold beer ensure that the crowd sometimes celebrates uncontrollably. There can be heavy crowding and even minor friction. Anyone who mixes with the crowd as a Pipoca should pay attention to their valuables and be aware that not everything is always civilized here.
Travel information: How to plan your trip to Salvador for Carnival
If you want to experience the carnival in Salvador da Bahia, you should book early. Hotels and accommodations are fully booked months in advance, and tickets for blocos and camarotes also sell out quickly. Safety first: Especially in the Pipoca zone, it is advisable not to travel alone, to stow valuables well and to always set a fixed goal for the evening.
After the endless days and nights of partying, it's time to take a break. Luckily, Bahia has fantastic beaches - perfect for relaxing in a hammock after the biggest festival in the world.
Accommodation and insider knowledge for your carnival trip to Salvador
For comfortable accommodation away from the hustle and bustle, try the charming Hotel Posada Rancho Fundo - a quiet oasis not far from Salvador, ideal for relaxing after the party-filled nights.
If you don't just want to party, but also really want to get to know the city, you can rely on the experienced tour guide and hotelier Markus Frenzel. He knows Salvador like the back of his hand and offers individual city tours.
Can be booked directly via WhatsApp: +55 71 9 8791 2606
Salvador awaits you - are you ready for the craziest street party of your life?
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